15GB of free storage now offered between Drive, Gmail and Photos

by Aditya Thawardas on
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google_drive_15gbGoogle knows that everybody loves more free storage space, so they have tripled the amount of free cloud-based storage they offer on Google Drive from 5GB to 15GB. Kind of. Previously, Google Drive offered 5GB of storage, and Gmail offered 10GB. Now, 15GB of free storage will be shared between Drive, Gmail, and Google+ photos (previously Picasa), so while there is still the same amount of space being offered, users can now freely choose how they want to split up their 15GB. Compared to other free cloud storage competitors, Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage, Apple iCloud 5GB, and Microsoft SkyDrive 7GB.

In addition to the additional free space, the previous lowest tier option for additional storage space, $2.49 per month for 25GB, has been removed, making the new cheapest option $4.99 for 100GB. All of these changes will roll out in the next few weeks.

Source: Google Drive Blog

Another white Nexus 4 appears in the wild, preparing for a Google I/O release?

by Harrison Kaminsky on
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Another shot of the white Nexus 4 has surfaced, which seems to backup earlier photos of a white Nexus 4 we reported to you back in January. But as we near Google I/O 2013, we’re expecting an official announcement (or maybe even a release) of the device, hopefully with some bumped up specs.

This time, the device ended up in the hands of Google+ user Ervin Sue, who obtained the phone on a buy and sell website. Although the outer hardware looks to be the same (aside from color), we’re hopeful that Google at least adds a modern Snapdragon 600 processor and 4G LTE.

When Google I/O starts in a couple of days we’ll be sure to have some more information— but until then, you’ll just have to be patient!

Source: Ervin Sue

 

 

Android’s Sundar Pichai teases Google I/O 2013 plans

by Roy Alugbue on
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Google I/O is just a few days away and if you were expecting to see a brand-new OS or a revolutionary device— then you will probably be a little disappointed at this tidbit of news. Android head Sundar Pichai recently expressed some hints of what we can expect to see, especially for all of you developers out there:

“It’s going to be different. It’s not a time when we have much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system. Both on Android and Chrome, we’re going to focus this I/O on all of the kinds of things we’re doing for developers, so that they can write better things. We will show how Google services are doing amazing things on top of these two platforms”.

Yeah— it’s definitely a bummer, we know. Fortunately there is a silver lining to look forward to: the development and arrival of some pretty neat concepts and improvements to the Android and Chrome platforms. In his interview, Pichai highlights that because of the Android platform’s flexibility and design, consumers are able to see the arrival of Facebook Home, part of many ”welcome innovations“. Additionally, items like Amazon’s Kindle Fire series of tablets and its customized Android software represent the computer explosion of today, which is a benefit for consumers of all.

source: Wired

Google shows five-year roadmap towards stronger device authentication

by Jared Peters on
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Security and privacy are two huge issues with smartphones, and anything connected to the internet, really. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Google unveiled a five-year plan towards increased device security on Wednesday. This roadmap has Google breaking away from its traditional user sign-in process on devices, and instead replaces with an extremely secure, once-per-device-log-in. By replacing traditional passwords with complex authentication codes, a device can register itself with Google and keep the owner of an account from having to repeatedly sign in to their Google account multiple times. » Read the rest

Google cancels plans to unveil Google Wallet credit card at next week’s I/O

by Spencer McClendon on
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All Things D is reporting that Google has decided not to move forward with their own physical credit card. According to their sources, Google had planned to update Google Wallet with a physical card next week at Google I/O, but now sources are saying that those plans have changed a little and even though they do plan to update Google Wallet with new features, there are no plans for the debut of a Google credit card along with it.

Sources close to the matter said Google’s CEO Larry Page put an end to the project last week after a lackluster demo performance didn’t show any innovation.Those who had seen the card described it as a usual credit card, with the Google Wallet “W” in rainbow colors on top of a black background.  Google had hoped to use the credit card to gain more information about its customers spending habits, which would improve their ability to push ads to their customers.

This isn’t the first time Google has lost faith in a card. Back in October of last year they put the kibosh on the prepaid Google Wallet program.  So this is just one more thing to delete from Google I/O expectations.

Source: All Things D

Google prepping an Androidbook, smartwatch, and ‘over-the-top’ TV box, but neither will appear at Google I/O

by Robert Nazarian on
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Earlier we told you what the specs are going to be for the updated Nexus 7 according to KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Ironically, Kuo has a very good track record when it comes to predicting Apple products. Other than revealing the Nexus 7 specs he said that Google will be coming out with an Androidbook laptop, and “over-the-top” TV box, and a smartwatch, but unfortunately we won’t see them next week at Google I/O since they are only in the planning stages.

We have already heard rumors about an Androidbook and a smartwatch so this isn’t surprising, but it’s further confirmation. As far as a TV box, this is something I, and a lot of our readers, have been hoping for. Google TV has been a huge disappointment, and I am still trying to figure out why they bothered with the Nexus Q. A TV box is desperately needed, and I can only wish that it would debut next week at Google I/O, but it appears that won’t be the case.

source: AppleInsider

Updated Nexus 7 specs revealed by analyst

by Robert Nazarian on
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We are expecting to see an updated Nexus 7 next week at Google I/O, and although we already had a pretty good idea of the specs, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed everything but the kitchen sink. Now before you start wondering if Ming-Chi Kuo is worthy, he ironically has a darn good track record when it comes to predicting Apple products. On the other hand, it’s not like he is revealing anything earth shattering.

As expected, the display is going to be 7-inches and have a resolution of 1900 x 1200, which is a very nice upgrade. We already knew that Qualcomm was the chosen one for the CPU, but which one? Sadly it looks like the Snapdragon S4 Pro instead of the Snapdragon 600. This is a little disappointing to me, but this is a price tablet and the S4 Pro is more than enough for the average consumer. Another interesting spec is that it will sport a 5MP rear-facing camera which was absent in the original Nexus 7. Lastly the battery is 4,000mAh, which is actually smaller than the original Nexus 7 (4,325mAh). I was never all that thrilled with the battery life on the Nexus 7, so this is a little concerning. Nothing was mentioned on a 3G or 4G version, but with the Snapdragon in place, I am hopeful they will offer an LTE version at some point.

» Read the rest

Google I/O Android app updated with new features for 2013

by Aditya Thawardas on
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Google I/O season is upon us, and to celebrate, Google has updated their I/O app for 2013. The app’s aesthetics have been made Google Now-esque, with cards and swiping abundant. Once you install the app and input your Google+ credentials, you are asked whether or not you are attending the event. If you are, the app sets up your WiFi access for the Moscone Center, and lets you schedule your events.

We’ll be at I/O next week, so keep your browser at TalkAndroid for all the coverage you need. The full changelog and download link for the app is after the break. » Read the rest

Apple wants source code records in Samsung trial and looks in Google’s direction in the process

by Spencer McClendon on
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Apple is trying to bring Google into their lawsuit with Samsung in a roundabout way. Apple wants a judge to ask Google to turn over documents related to the Android OS. Apple argues that by having a judge force Google to turn over the documents, it will help prove their case of Samsung’s alleged infringement. Android runs in all of Samsung’s devices that Apple has a problem with and Apple argues that Android “provides much of the accused functionality“.

A lawyer for Apple claims that Google is not doing a full search for said documents, but the lawyer representing Samsung in this case and who also represents Google as well, said that this was part of Apple’s “strategic decision… to keep Google off the complaint” in this case. By not listing Google as part of the complaint, Google is not entitled to the same reciprocal discovery process as Apple and Samsung. If a judge orders this evidence to be turned over Apple, they could possibly be handed something they could use to try and come after Google, that they would not have got without a judges order.

This is the second trial for Samsung and Apple. The first one didn’t go as well as Samsung had hopped, having received a judgment of $1.05 billion which was later reduced to $639.4 million by the same judge, who also order a new trial. As always we will keep an eye on any developments in this case and bring them to you as soon as we hear them.

Source: Bloomberg

Google Glass sensors revealed, expect a lot of augmented reality apps soon

by Robert Nazarian on
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Now that more and more people are getting their hands on the Google Glass Explorer Edition, the information is trickling in. The majority of specs were revealed a couple of weeks ago, but nothing was released regarding the sensors. Well developer Lance Nanek was able to find the complete list of sensors by pushing an Android app to the device using debug mode. For now the mirror API only allows for getting the location every 10 minutes, but at some point these other sensors will be enabled.

One of the powerful features that Glass offers is the ability to get notifications without having to look at your phone, but where the real stuff is involves other augmented reality apps. Playing games like Ingress, finding hotspots in the city, or getting navigation instructions all sound intriguing.  Hit the break for the complete list and video from Lance showing that they actually work.

» Read the rest